Container structure



March 11, 1941. GRIERSQN 4 2,234,673

CONTAINER STRUCTURE Filed Nov. 25; 1958 3230 as 27 4og7 4 0 /2 727' 3 6 15 INVENTOR Pa ZZZ Grferaon Y m T ORNEY lPMentdl Mar. 11, 1941 PA'iEN'i" FFICE 2,234,67 3 CONTAINER STRUCTURE- Paul S. Grierson,

Millburn, N. J., assignor to Thomas A. Edison, Incorporated, West Orange, N. J a corporation of New Jersey Application November 23, 1938, Serial No. 241,891

6 Claims.

My invention relates to container structures and while of broad application, is especially applicable to battery container structures. It is particularly designed for storage batteries of the type adapted to be used in services (e. g. in portable electric lighting outfits or apparatus, as the source of current supply) where one or more of such factors as weight, safety, assembly, disassembly, enclosing of the battery elements, etc.,

may be of importance.

Among the objects of my invention following:

To provide an improved construction for effectively connecting a container and its cover or o closure member with the same, where this may be desired, in fluid-sealed relation.

To provide an improved container structure which is adapted for batteries of the type referred to above and is of appreciably less weight 7 than container structures commonly employed for such batteries.

To provide an improved container structure wherein an end closure member or cover is firmly my secured to the container and is capable of being readily applied thereto or removed therefrom.

To provide an improved structure of the character referred to which is adapted to be assembled, disassembled and reassembled without resorting to welding, brazing, soldering, cutting, burning or any other operation. that is likely to result in damaging or ruining either the container or its cover.

To provide an improved sealed container struc- QH ture of such construction that in case the pressure within. the container becomes excessive, the

container cover or closure member will be automatically dislodged. It is also an object to provide a container structure wherein the cover is adapted to be dislodged (as just described, for example) without the likelihood of resultant damage to any of the parts of the structure, whereby such parts, without appreciable repair, may be reassembled in. the same manner as they were originally assembled.

To provide for a container structure, an improved connection between the container and its cover whereby limited inward and outward movement of the cover with respect to the container take place, and whereby the container and 50 the cover in such relative movements may be effectively maintained in sealed relationship.

To provide for a container structure of the character referred to, an improved construction and arrangement for mounting said structure within an outer casing or container which will are the prevent or oppose bodily movement of such structure relative to the outer casing under the action of forces tending to produce such movement.

Other objects and features of my invention will be hereinafter more specifically described and claimed.

For a clearer understanding of my invention attention is directed to the drawing which accompanies and forms part of this specification and which shows a battery structure embodying 10 a preferred form of my invention.

In said drawing:

Figure 1 is a top plan view of a battery structure designed particularly for use in a mine lamp outfit or other portable lighting outfit, the cover of the outer casing or container for the battery being shown in open position;

Fig. 2 is a view in side elevation, partly broken away and partly in section, of the structure shown in Fig. 1, with the cover of the outer container in closed position;

Fig. 3 is an enlarged fraginental sectional View, partly in elevation, of said structure with the parts thereof in the relative positions shown in Fig. 2; and 5 Figs. 4 and 5 are perspective views of the cover and. embracing band member respectively for the container of one cell of the battery illustrated in Figs. 1 to 3-, Fig. 5 also showing portions of the outer casing for the battery.

Referring to the drawing, reference character A designates an outer metal casing or container for the battery, which container as shown, is rectangular in form and comprises three individual rectangular compartments or containers I, I and i permanently and firmly secured together at a plurality of points 2, as by spot welding. A bottom end closure 3 for container A is provided, with a flanged rim which is welded or otherwise secured to the lower end portions of the individual containers I, I and l". A flanged rectangular cover C is hingedly connected to container A near the top and at one end thereof, as indicated at i. The cover C is adapted tobe secured in closed position by a hasp or look (not shown) which. may be pivotally mounted at 5 on the container A to cooperate with a lug or latch 6 on the cover. The container A and its bottom end closure 3 and cover C as well, are preferably formed from sheet steel or nickel plated steel, and when. oi the construction just described, may be made of comparatively light material and yet be strong and rigid.

The battery comprises three cells 8, 9 and Ill which are respectively disposed in the compart- 5 ments I, I and I" nected in series by of container A and are contwo conductive straps ll respectively secured to the proper terminals of adjacent cells. The cells 8, 9 and In as shown herein are of the same construction with the exception that the terminals i2 and I3 of the end cells 8 and I0, which terminals constitute the poles of the battery, are considerably longer than and project above all the other cell terminals.

The battery illustrated is of the nickel-ironalkaline type, and each cell thereof comprises a container I5 for the electrolyte S and the electrode element assembly, which container is closed at its lower end but has an open upper end. Each cell container is normally closed by a rigid cover or closure member I6 preferably stamped to form from sheet steel; such closure member being secured within the upper end portion of the container in fluid tight relation thereto, as will hereinafter be fully described. The electrode element assembly of each cell comprises a group of alternately arranged negative and positive elec trode elements or plates l1 and i8 and two vertically extending terminal rods to the lower ends of which all of such negative elements I! and all of such positive elements I8 are respectively connected by bolts l9 and 20. The positive and negative terminal rods of cell 8 are respectively designated by numerals l2 and 2!, those of cell 9 by numerals 22 and 23, and those of cell Ni by numerals 24 an I 3.

The cover or closure member I 6 of each cell is provided with conventional stufling boxes 25 through which the terminal rods of the cell respectively ext-end, which stuifing boxes provide fluid-tight connections between said rods and closure member and also maintain the same in insulated relation.

The closure member i6 of each cell is also provided with a combined filler and vent device 21 which preferably is of substantially the same construction as that disclosed in United States Patent No. 1,765,027 dated June 17, 1930, to Mitchell. The device 27 comprises a collar or sleeve member 27 which projects upwardly from cover 46 and is suitably secured in fluid-tight relation to the latter about an opening therein, casing 28 removably held to the member 2'! by a bayonet joint connection. Casing 28 has reciprocally mounted therein a plunger valve 29 which is biased to raised open position and is operable by the cover in the closing of the latter to close a vent opening (not shown).

A fiat insulating member or plate 30 is suitably secured to the under side of cover C; and fixedly mounted in such plate and projecting therefrom are three buttons 33, preferably of soft rubber or other resilient material, which are adapted respectively to engage and depress, the plunger valves 29 when said cover is moved to closed position. The insulating plate 30 has afiixed thereto two conductive studs 32 each of which serves to secure two conductive members 34 and 35 at one end to the insulating plate. The members 34 are respectively connected to leads 3"! and 37' which extend through cable 38. One end portion of this cable is enclosed by a protective sleeve 38' which is suitably secured to the cover C, and the corresponding end of the cable projects through openings provided in the cover and the plate 30. At its other end cable 38 may be connected to a lamp casing (not shown), such as the head piece of a miners lamp outfit, having therein an incandescent lamp. The conductive members 35, which are preferably made of spring metal in the form shown, are respectively adapted to contact the battery terminals I 2 and I3 when the cover is closed and to disengage such terminals when the cover is opened.

The improved container structure wherein the principal features of my invention reside, as specifically illustrated herein, is identical for each of the cells of the above described battery structure. Accordingly I shall describe the container structure for only one of said cells, viz. cell 8.

The container structure for cell 8, with special reference to Figs. 3, 4 and 5, comprises the container E; the cover or closure member 6, for said container; compartment I of the outer casing A, which compartment is hereinafter referred to as an outer casing or container; and an embracing member or band 40 which cooperates with the said container I 5, cover [6 and outer casing or container i in attaining many of the objects of my invention.

The container i5 is preferably of the same quadrangular or rectangular shape in cross section as the outer casing I, and is preferably of such size that it will fit loosely in said outer casing and when properly positioned therein, will have its lower closed end spaced slightly above the bottom thereof, as shown in Fig. 3. Preferably the entire container i5, and at least the upper open end portion thereof, is formed of elastic rubber-like material, such as suitably cured soft rubber. One of the advantages of using such material for the cell container instead of metal is that a considerable reduction in weight may thereby be eifected-and weight is often an extremely important factor, as, for example, in the case of portable lighting outfits which users may be required to carry for protracted periods. Also a battery cell container of rubber or like material is less subject to corrosion and damage than The container l5 may, if

one formed of metal. desired, be thickened at the junctures of its a"- jacent walls, as indicated at IS in Fig. 3, for the purpose of reinforcing and stiifening the same.

The closure member It is of the same rectangular shape and of substantially the same size as the inside of the container 15 in horizontal cross section when such container is in its normal or undistorted form, An upstanding rim section or flange i! is provided on member I 6 and preferably extends entirely around its periphery. The member 40 may be formed of any suitable strong rigid material such as sheet steel, and comprises a main portion 42 which [5 and which also embraces and is in opposed relation to the cover flange 41. The said portion 42 of band 463 is of the same shape in horizontal cross-section as container i5 and cover It, but at its inner surface and in horizontal cross-section is somewhat larger than the outer peripheral surface of cover flange ll and somewhat smaller than the outer peripheral surface of the upper end portion of container l5 when the latter is in its normal or undistorted form. It is therefore apparent that the cover it and band 40 when operativel associated with the container F5 in the relative positions shown in Fig. 3, will be spaced apart a distance less than the normal thickness of the upper end portion of said container and will maintain the interposed material of the latter displaced to less than such n0rmal thickness, and that the cover will accordingly then be firmly secured within the container member iii to container in fluid-tight relation thereto. Member 49, also preferably comprises upper and lower extensions or sections which are preferably formed interally with the main portion 2. The upper sec tion comprises a lower portion t5 which extends inwardly on a smooth curve from the main portion it, and an upper portion at which is preferably a smooth curved continuation of the portion t5 and extends outwardly therefrom. The lower section consists of a portion is projecting inwardly from the main portion it, preferably on a smooth curve. When the said upper and lower extensions or sections of band Ml are continuous and extend entirely around the band, as in the construction illustrated, the said sections at their innermost peripheries and in horizontal section are preferably of substantially the same or only slightly greater size than the cover it at its outermost periphery and the inside of container l5 when the latter is in its normal form. When the parts it, it and ii] are rectangular as shown, the upper section or extension of member it is cut back or pressed outwardly at the corners of the innermost peripheral portion thereof as indicated at all, for the purpose of facilitating the assembly of said parts in the relative positions shown in Fig. 3. The construction is such that when this assembly has been effected the inner peripheries of band portions 45 and M will be adjacent to and respectively offset vertically above and below the cover rim ii.

In assembling the container structure for cell it the band til is embracingly engaged with the upper end portion or" container 55 in substantially the position shown in Fig. 3; the closure member ill with the device it and electrode elements of the cell secured thereto, is next inserted within the upper end of container l5; and then while the band ill is firmly held and the closure member it is maintained somewhat tilted in two directions with respect to said band, sufiicient pressure is applied to said closure member to force the same inwardly of the container to the operative position shown. The connection of it in the manner just described necessitates the application of considerable pressure to said member, but is rendered possible because the upper elastic end portion of the container is displaceable to a thickness sufficiently below the normal thickness thereof as to permit inward movement of member it past the adjacent innermost peripheral portions of band member ill without consequent deformation of either of such members.

When the cell -53 has been assembled it is disposed in the outer or container l in the position shown Fig. 3 with the outwardly projectin portion llti of band til overlying and engaging the upper end of said container. The main portion :2 of band fill is of such size or form at its outer peripheral surface to fit or engage tightly in the upper end of outer casing l and with sufficient friction to prevent upward movement of said band relative to the casing when the or any of the parts connected therewith is subjected to any ordinary upward pressure, Obviously the portion iii of band will coact with the upper end of easing l to prevent downward movement of said band relative to the when the band or any of the parts connected therewith is subjected to downward pressure, Accordingly the construction just described will under the conditions stated, effectively prevent movement of the assembly comprising container iii, closure member i ii and band #5, as a unit, relative to the outer casing l However, the resilient connection between closure member 16 and band 46 afforded by the elastic upper end portion of container l5, provides for a limited movement of the closure member relative to the band and either inwardly or outward ly of container l5, upon subjection of the closure member or of any of the parts connected therewith to pressure tending to produce such relative movement, as, for example, in the closing of cover C and moreover such relative limited movement may take place without dislodgement of the closure member Hi from its operative connection with container l5 and band it and, in the case of the structure herein disclosed, without disruption of the sealed relationship of said closure member and container.

While the construction described prevents dislodgement of closure member It from operative connection with container [5 upon subjection of the closure member to any ordinary pressure tending to elTect such dislodgement, it also provides for the automatic dislodgement of the closure member in case the pressure should be abnormally high. For example, in the case of the specific structure disclosed herein, when the gas pressure within the cell container l5 does not materially exceed lbs. per square inch the closure member It will be maintained effectively connected with said container and in sealed relationship thereto; but if such gas pressure should become abnormally high, for example, 50 to 60 pounds per square inch, then because of non-uniformity in the seating of the closure member and in the forces exerted thereon at all points about its periphery tending to hold it in operative p0sition, such closure member will first become til-ted with respect to the band fill and will then be dislodged from operative connection with the container. The dislodgement of the closure member under these conditions constitutes a safety fea ture as it obviates the possibility of an excessive pressure building up within the container 15 and therefore minimizes the danger of explosion. Moreover as the container [5, or at least its upper end portion, is formed of elastic displaceable material capable of being reduced to a slight fraction of its normal thickness, dislodgement of the closure member it in the manner described will not usually result in damage thereto or to any of the parts associated therewith and therefore the structure may be readily reassembled.

In some services for which my improved container structure is adapted, it is unlikely that the closure member it will be subjected to appreciable pressure inwardly of the container l5. Under such circumstances the lower inwardly projecting portion '44 of band ll] need not extend entirely around container l5 and in some cases may be omitted, Also .in some cases it is not necessary that the portions and 46 of band 4i) extend entirely around the container !5; and for certain applications of my invention the portion 46 or both the portions (i5 and 45 may be omitted. It is usually desirable however, to provide the portion #5, and frequently both of the portions 45 and it, at spaced points of the band 48 and preferably at opposite points thereof--this being especially desirable where the cover H5 is to be maintained in sealed relation to container l5.

Various other changes and modifications may be made .in the specific structure herein disclosed without departure from the spirit of my invention or the scope of the appended claims.

I claim:

1. A container structure comprising a container having a quadrangular open end portion formed of elastic rubber-like material, a relatively rigid closure member disposed within said end portion and comprising a rim section of substantially the same shape and size as the inside of such end portion in horizontal cross section, and a relatively rigid band member embracing said end portion and closure member, said band member comprising a main section which in horizontal cross section is of substantially the same shape as but somewhat larger than the rim section of the closure member, the said sections of the band and closure members coacting to maintain interposed material of said container displaced to less than its normal thickness, one of said members, at each of opposite sides and one end of its said section, having a portion extending laterally toward the other of said members to a point which is adjacent to, substantially in vertical alignment with and in non-overlapping relation to the containerengaging edge of the said section of such other member, that member which is provided with such lateral extensions having each of opposite corner portions thereof at the points corresponding in vertical position to such extensions spaced laterally an appreciable distance from the respective adjacent corner portion of the container-engaging edge of the main section of the other of said members to thereby facilitate the disposition of the latter member in and the removal thereof from operative position by the application of pressure and without consequent deformation of either of said members.

2. A container structure comprising a container having a quadrangular open end portion formed of elastic rubber-like material, a relatively rigid closure member disposed within said end portion 4o 'and having a rim section of substantially the same shape and size as the inside of said end portion in horizontal cross section, and a relatively rigid band member embracing said end portion and closure member, said band member comprising a main section which in horizontal cross section is of substantially the same shape as but somewhat larger than the said rim section of the closure member, the said main sections of the band and closure members coacting to maintain interposed material of said container end portion displaced to less than its normal thickness, said band member at each of opposite sides thereof having a portion which extends laterally and inwardly with respect to the said main section thereof to a point which is adjacent to, substantially in vertical alignment with and in non-overlapping relation to an edge portion of said closure member, said band member also having each of opposite corner portions thereof at points corresponding in vertical position to said inwardly extending portions, laterally spaced an appreciable distance from the respective adjacent corner por tion of the container-engaging edge of the closure member to thereby facilitate the disposition of the closure member in and the removal thereof from operative position by the application of pressure and without consequent deformation of either of said members.

3. A container structure comprising a container having a quadrangular open end portion of elastic rubber-like material, a'relatively rigid closure member disposed within said end portion and having a rim section of substantially the same shape and size as the inside of said end portion in horizontal cross section, and a relatively rigid band member embracing said end portion and closure member, said band member comprising a main section which in horizontal cross section is of substantially the same shape as but somewhat larger than the rim section of said closure member, the said sections of the band and closure members coacting to maintain the interposed material of said container end portion for the entire distance around the latter displaced to less than its normal thickness, one of said members at each of opposite sides thereof having a portion extending laterally from the said section thereof toward the other of said members to a point which is adjacent to, substantially in vertical alignment with and in non-overlapping relation to the container-engaging edge of the said section of such other member, that member which is provided with said lateral extensions having each of opposite corner portions thereof at the points corresponding in vertical position to such extensions laterally spaced an appreciable distance from the respective adjacent corner portion of the container-engaging edge of the said section of the other of such members to thereby facilitate the disposition of the latter member in and the removal thereof from operative position by the application of pressure and without consequent deformation of either of said members.

4. A battery container structure comprising a container for the battery electrolyte and electrode elements, said container having a quadrangular open upper-end portion of elastic rubber-like material, a relatively rigid closure member disposed within said end portion and to which the battery electrode elements are adapted to be connected, said closure member having a rim section of substantially the same shape and size as the inside of said end portion in horizontal cross section, a relatively rigid band member embracing said end portion and closure member, said band member comprising a main section which in horizontal cross section is of substantially the same shape as but somewhat larger than the rim section of said closure member, the said sections of the band and closure members coacting to maintain the interposed material of said container end portion for the entire distance around the latter displaced to less than its normal thickness, one of said members at each of opposite sides thereof having a portion extending laterally from the said section thereof toward the other of said members to a point which is adjacent to, substantially in vertical alignment with and in non-overlapping relation to the containerengaging edge of the said section of such other member, that member which is provided with said lateral extensions having each of opposite corner portions thereof at the points corresponding in vertical position to such extensions laterally spaced an appreciable distance from the respective adjacent corner portion of the container-engaging edge of the said section of the other of such members to thereby facilitate the disposition of the latter member in and the removal thereof from operative position by the application of pressure and without consequent deformation of either of said members, and a second container having an open upper-end and within which the first container and said band member are disposed, said band member having an outwardly extending portion overlying the upper edge of the second container.

5. A battery container structure comprising a container for the battery electrolyte and electrode elements, said container having a quadrangular open upper-end portion of elastic rubber-like material, a relatively rigid closure member disposed within said end portion and to which the battery electrode elements are adapted to be connected, said closure member having a rim section of substantially the same shape and size as the inside of said end portion in horizontal cross section, a relatively rigid band member embracing said end portion and closure member, said band member comprising a main section which in horizontal cross section is of substantially the same shape as but somewhat larger than the rim section of said closure member, the said sections of the band and closure members coacting to maintain the interposed material of said container end portion for the entire distance around the latter displaced to less than its normal thickness, one of said members at each of opposite sides thereof having a portion extending laterally from the said section thereof toward the other of said members to a point which is adjacent to, substantially in vertical alignment with and in non-overlapping relation to the container-engaging edge of the said section of such other member, that member which is provided with said lateral extensions having each of opposite corner portions thereof at the points corresponding in vertical position to such extensions laterally spaced an appreciable distance from the respective adjacent corner por tion of the container-engaging edge of the said section of the other of such members to thereby facilitate the disposition of the latter member in and the removal thereof from operative position by the application of pressure and without consequent deformation of either of said members, and a second container having an open upper-end and within which the first container is disposed, said band member being disposed within and in frictional engagement with the said second container.

6. A member for embracing and removably securing together a quadrangular container and a closure member disposed within such container, comprising a quadrangular open band having substantially vertical Walls at its four sides and lateral portions or flanges extending from said walls at one end of the latter substantially equal distances inwardly of the band, the inner periphery of each of opposite corner portions of the band at the said end of its walls being at a less distance in- Wardly of the band than the innermost peripheral surfaces of said lateral portions.

PAUL S, GRIERSON.

CERTIFICATE OF CORRECTION. Patent No. 2,25%675. March 11, 19m.

PAUL S GRIERSON.

It is hereby certified that error appears in the printed specification of the above numbered patent requiring correction as follows: Page 5, sec- 0nd column, line 56, for the word "pressure" read --pressures-; page L first column, line 50, claim 1, for "main section of the other of said" read -said section of the other of such; line LLB, claim 2, strike out "main" and that the said Letters Patent should be read with this correction therein that the same may conform to the record of the case in the Patent Office..

Signed and sealed this 29th day of April, A, Do 1911.1n

Henry Van Arsdale (Seal) Acting Commissioner of Patents 

